It's Who You Know! The Podcast · Michelle W. Malkin: Nonprofit Jewish Professional

Innovative Leadership With A Purpose with Rabbi David Rosenn, President & CEO of the Hebrew Free Loan Society

·50 min·2 clips

Jewish values aren't about serving only Jews—they're about honoring the divine in all people

Rabbi David Rosenn, CEO of Hebrew Free Loan Society, discusses his journey from secular social justice work to Jewish nonprofit leadership. He shares how a question about why he wasn't 'working for his people' inspired a reflection on how Jewish values (honoring divine image in all people) apply to work on poverty, housing, and education for all communities. Inspired by a Lutheran church's social action efforts, Rosenn pursued rabbinical school and founded Avodah (Jewish Service Corps), a year-long program combining service, community living, and Jewish learning for college graduates. After 13 years leading Avodah's expansion, he joined Hebrew Free Loan Society (founded 1892), which now lends $32 million annually at 0% interest using a guarantor system that converts social capital into financial access, achieving a remarkable 99% repayment rate. The episode explores how rabbinical training enhances nonprofit leadership through pastoral care and values-driven decision making.

As heard by us

A measured look at leadership, Jewish values, and helping people with dignity.

This conversation follows Rabbi David Rosen from Jewish communal leadership into the day to day work of the Hebrew Free Loan Society, a New York institution that dates to 1892. Michelle W.

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Want a thoughtful look at Jewish leadership through a rabbi running a long-standing free loan society?

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